Vincent Jackson embraces hybrid role with Bucs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are scheming up ways to get the most out of Vincent Jackson this year.

The veteran wide receiver put up another strong statistical season in 2014 despite playing on one of the worst offenses in the league. Jackson is in the process of learning his third offense in as many years under new coordinator Dirk Koetter, but he seems excited about the new direction of the group.

"Dirk is having some fun moving me around and playing me in multiple places, and it's been fun for me, too," Jackson said, according to The Tampa Tribune. "It's fun to play inside (in the slot) and outside, to be able stretch the field and cross the field.

"That's what's good about this system. We're going to put the ball all over the place. The (running) backs, the tight ends, everybody's going to be involved and that should make it fun for all of us."

Jackson is hardly unfamiliar with work on the inside. According to Pro Football Focus, 138 of Jackson's 582 routes came out of the slot last season, accounting for nearly 25 percent of his workload.

That percentage could go up as the team finds new ways to take advantage of Jackson's size, instincts and playmaking ability. Now entering his 11th season, Jackson may soon reach the stage where he cannot rely on speed alone.

Contact Info

If you have comments or questions, please feel free to contact us.

Neil S. Schwartz

Email: neilsschwartz@gmail.com

Jonathan Feinsod

Email: jonathan@sffootball.net

Players Association

The union for professional football players in the NFL.

NFL Players Association (NFLPA)

The National Football League Players Association is the union for professional football players in the National Football League. Established in 1956, the NFLPA has a long history of assuring proper recognition and representation of players’ interests.